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A global OClO stratospheric layer discovered in GOMOS stellar occultation measurements
Author(s) -
Fussen Didier,
Vanhellemont Filip,
Dodion Jan,
Bingen Christine,
Mateshvili Nina,
Daerden Frank,
Fonteyn Dominique,
Errera Quentin,
Chabrillat Simon,
Kyrölä Erkki,
Tamminen Johanna,
Sofieva Viktoria,
Hauchecorne Alain,
Dalaudier Francis,
Bertaux JeanLoup,
Renard JeanBaptiste,
Fraisse Renaud,
d'Andon Odile Fanton,
Barrot Gilbert,
Guirlet Marielle,
Mangin Antoine,
Fehr Thorsten,
Snoeij Paul,
Saavedra Lidia
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2006gl026406
Subject(s) - stratosphere , ozone layer , polar , polar vortex , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , ozone depletion , occultation , bromine , chlorine , physics , chemistry , astronomy , organic chemistry
The stratospheric ozone depletion observed in polar regions is caused by several catalytic cycles induced by reactive chlorine and bromine species. By reacting with BrO, ClO causes the formation of OClO which is considered as a proxy of the halogen activation. We present the first global determination of the stratospheric OClO distribution measured during the year 2003 by the stellar occultation spectrometer GOMOS. Besides its expected polar abundance, we discovered the presence of a worldwide OClO layer in the upper stratosphere. At lower altitudes, OClO seems also to be present beyond the limit of the polar vortices, an unreported feature.